NEW YORK (TIP): As the Keralites were celebrating Onam with traditional fervor and gaiety, Amit Shah, the President of BJP has succeeded in creating a fresh controversy by wishing ‘Vamana Jayanthi’ on Onam Eve. “It seems to be consistent with the ongoing drive by BJP to appropriate icons and legacies and rewrite history to suit its political purposes’ said George Abraham, Chairman, Indian National Overseas Congress, USA. There appears to be a concentrated effort to re-create Onam with an upper caste coloring countering the egalitarian and irreligious nature of the festival that has been celebrated by Malayalees across Kerala and around the world regardless of class, caste or religion” Mr. Abraham added.

An article published in the Onam special edition of RSS mouthpiece ‘Kesari’ had questioned the traditional legends of the festival saying it is the celebration of the birth of Vamana, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu and not the homecoming of demon king Mahabali.

The article had argued that there was no reference in any mythological scriptures which supports the popular and widely circulated legend that ‘Vamana’, had sent Mahabali to the netherworld through deceit and the king visits the land annually to meet his subjects, as widely believed.

Regardless, Onam reminds Keralites everywhere about peace and tranquility in the world. It helps us to dream about economic well-being and resource sharing. It is an idea about love and brotherhood and setting up aspirational goals on high ethics and morals. It also motivates us to fight for human justice and preservation of nature.

‘Therefore, we kindly request the BJP leadership and their allies in Kerala to leave Onam alone, a festival which we all love and cherish and one that brings all of us together in unity and love, at the minimum, once every year!!’